Series of arrests of KNPB members in Jayapura and Yahukimo – 37 activists arrested, 16 tortured -

At least 37 supporters of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) were reportedly arrested and 16 tortured in relation to peaceful demonstrations to commemorate the 1962 New York Agreement in the towns Sentani, Jayapura Regency, and Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, on 14 and 15 August 2023. In Sentani, 16 KNPB activists were arrested while distributing leaflets for the rally. The incidents underscore ongoing tensions between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian authorities due to fail-driven development, marginalisation, and racism, differing views on the integration of West Papua in the Indonesian State, and ongoing human rights violations in the region.

The KNPB spokesperson, Mr Ones Suhuniap, condemned the police violence, stressing that the police must respect and protect the freedom of assembly and the freedom of expression. Mr Emanuel Gobay, Director of the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), criticized the police for using excessive force against peaceful demonstrations. Gobay noted that the KNPB had followed the legal mechanisms outlined in the National Law on Freedom of Expression in Public. KNPB representatives had notified the police of the protest beforehand. He called for an investigation and punishment of the police officers involved in the violence to ensure equal law enforcement.

Jayapura Police Chief Commissioner Frederickus Maclarimboen claimed that four protesters were beaten because they were allegedly involved in damaging a police car. He added that the demonstration was illegal because the KNPB did not have a permit for the rally.

The statement mirrors a widespread false understanding among police members in West Papua. The police usually use the lack of a “police acknowledgment letter” (“Surat Tanda Terima Pemberitahuan” STTP) in response to a “notification letter for a demonstration” as a reason to declare demonstrations illegal. Human rights activists documented a large number of cases in which the police refused to issue an STTP to prevent particular Papuan civil society groups from enjoying their right to freedom of expression and assembly.

Both fundamental freedoms can only be restricted if the police intervention is lawful, necessary, and proportionate in order to protect national security or public safety, prevent disorder or crime, protect health or morals, or protect the rights and freedoms of other people. Police intervention must be appropriate and no more than necessary to address the issue concerned.

Dekai, Yahukimo Regency

On 14 August 2023, police officers arbitrarily arrested 16 KNPB members at Baliem Road, the BRI Bank Branch intersection in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency. The arrests took place at 11:20 AM, as they were intending to participate in a funeral. The activists were subsequently taken to the Yahukimo District Police Office, where they were interrogated for one hour. All were released at 12:15 PM after the police did not find incriminating evidence against them.

Table of KNPB activists arrested in Dekai on 14 August 2023

No	Name	Age
1	Lanni Husage	16 years
2	Yosua Siep	18 years
3	Hernus Siep	15 years
4	Manu Husage	14 years
5	Yally Esema	14 years
6	Ayalkek Matuan	27 years
7	Wenas Siep	14 years
8	Elius Itlay	35 years
9	Arius Siep	13 years
10	Amonius Siep	14 years
11	Eben Matuan	24 years
12	Oelekma Matuan	19 years
13	Yepianus Siep	14 years
14	Yopius Siep	35 years
15	Oppy Lokon	16 years
16	Ebber Matuan	14 years

Sentani, Jayapura Regency

On 12 August 2023, Police officers arrested 21 KNPB activists at the junction near Pasar Lama in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province (see table below, source: KNPB). The arrests occurred around 10:30 AM while the KNPB activists distributed leaflets inviting participation to a peaceful demonstration on 15 August 2023. All activists were later released after being interrogated by the police.

KNPB spokesperson Ones Suhuniap stated that the activists were distributing the leaflets to commemorate the 1962 New York Agreement and acts of racism experienced by Papuan students in Surabaya, Jawa Timur Province, in August 2019. The activists called upon the United Nations to review the New York Agreement, which regulated the transfer of the former Netherlands New Guinea from the Netherlands to Indonesia.

KNPB members at the Sentani Police station, 12 August 2023

Table of KNPB activists arrested in Sentani on 12 August 2023

No	Name
1	Deni Esema
2	Frangki Kogoya
3	Imer Matuan
4	Jack Amohoso
5	Hason Esema
6	Fero Walilo
7	Yos Keroman
8	Tius Passe
9	Tia Felle
10	Yongga Kogoya
11	Nanis Tibul
12	Pedi Malo
13	Lukas Yaloka
14	Hosan Peyon
15	Tomiles Itulah
16	Yosua Keroman
17	Eko Passe
18	Yan Itlay
19	Steven Tengket
20	Agus Passe
21	Novis Esema

On 15 August 2023, police officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of the New York Agreement in the town of Sentani. Sixteen protesters were reportedly injured due to police violence (see table below, source: KNPB). A video recorded during the protest shows fully armed police officers pushing back the crowd while a police truck shoots with water cannons into the crowd (see video below, source: independent HRDs). According to information received, the officers beat protesters using shields, rubber batons, and rattan sticks (see photo on top, source: Jubi). The sixteen injured activists, aged between 17 and 23 years, suffered severe head injuries, with some bleeding heavily. Mr Eko Passe had to be admitted to the Public Hospital in Doyo Baru, Sentani after the wound on his head did not stop bleeding (see photos below, source: KNPB).

Table of KNPB supporters tortured in Sentani on 15 August 2023

No	Name	Age	Additional information
1	Eko Passe	21 years	Sustained bleeding head injury, and had to be admitted to the Doyo Baru General Hospital.
2	Imer Matuan	20 years	Sustained bleeding head injury
3	Deli Kahipmabin	20 years	Sustained bleeding head injury
4	Emis Telenggan	21 years	Sustained bleeding head injury
5	Yames Well	21 years	Sustained bruises on the hand
6	Rulex Esema	19 years	Sustained bleeding head injury
7	Frangki Kogoya	16 years	Sustained bleeding head injury
8	Melinus Bagau	19 years	Sustained bleeding head injury
9	Oktalen Kalakmabin	18 years	Sustained bleeding head injury
10	Keros Balingga	18 years	Sustained bruises on the eye
11	Nodi Tepmul	21 years	Sustained bruises on the back
12	Erpon Heluka	20 years	Sustained bruises on the back
13	Natalius Pase	19 years	Sustained bruises on the hand
14	Fero Mangki Walilo	17 years	Sustained bruises on the hand
15	Tia Felle	18 years	Sustained bruises on the body, clothes were torn
16	Hosan Peyon	21 years	Sustained bruises on the body